Description : News Release - 02/24/2000 - Federal Court Enjoins BMWE Strike on Union Pacific Railroad

Press Release Contact: Dave Tanner, 1-888-875-2693,  (307) 787-7058

Thursday, February 24, 2000 12:00 Noon EST

Federal Court in Omaha Enjoins BMWE Strike on Union Pacific Railroad Management's Illegal Activity Also Enjoined UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD ORDERED TO MAINTAIN DISPUTED FACILITY AND TO CEASE OUTSOURCING WORK PENDING HEARING

(Omaha, Nebraska) A Federal District Court Judge enjoined a strike called by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) against the Union Pacific Railroad which began at 7 AM EST today. The strike had effectively shut down train operations on the former Union Pacific proper and was called because Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) announced that the track panel assembly plant in Laramie, Wyoming owned by UPRR and operated under contract by employees represented by the BMWE would be closed down and . that future panels would be purchased from outsiders. Track panels are used in the construction and maintenance of railroad track. The BMWE is the labor union which represents the men and women of UPRR who construct and maintain railroad track, buildings and bridges for the railroad.

In ordering the BMWE back to work the Judge also instructed Union Pacific Railroad that they could not lay off any employees working at the Laramie, Wyoming track panel fabrication plant and could not use panels other than those fabricated by BMWE employees at the Laramie, Wyoming plant on the property known as the original Union Pacific territory. The Judge suspended UPRR's desire to illegally outsource the work of track panel fabrication.

Dave Tanner, General Chairman of the Union Pacific System Division of the BMWE which represents the affected workers stated:

"Naturally we are not happy with the decision to force the Union back to work prior to having reached final resolution of this matter with Union Pacific Railroad. However, the fact that the Judge ordered an end to Union Pacific's illegal actions pending the outcome of future hearings is welcome news to the men and women at the Laramie, Wyoming facility in particular and all BMWE members in general. We are confident that in the future we can prevail and protect our members and their jobs. The determination shown by our membership forced UP to honor our rights and we are thankful to other crafts that so willingly stood with us in our time of crisis."